Steam-trap.



No. 796,516. PATENTED AUG. 8, 1905. H. H. HUMPHREY.

STEAM TRAP.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 14, 1905.

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No. 796,516. PATENTED AUG. 8, 1905.

H. H. HUMPHREY.

STEAM TRAP.

APPLICATION FILED MAR.14,1905.

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7 -65 :Z a/Zrey CLd UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HENRY H. HUMPHREY, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR TO WRIGHT MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN, A CORPORATION OF MICHIGAN.

Specification of Letters Patent.

STEAM-TRAP.

Patented Aug. 8, 1905.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known thatI, HENRY H. HUMPHREY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Detroit, in the county of Wayne and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Steam-Traps, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to theaccompanying drawings.

The invention relates to improvements in steam-traps especially designed for use in connection with steam systems for the purpose of automatically discharging the water of condensation; and it consists in the novel construction of a trap of this character, in the peculiar arrangement and combination of the various parts thereof, and in other details of construction, as will be more fully hereinafter set forth, and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings illustrating my invention, Figure l is a horizontal section through the trap. Fig. 2 is a section taken on lineman of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a face of the cap or bonnet of the trap. Fig. i is a detailed plan view,

partly in section, of the operating-connections between the valve and float; and Fig. 5 is a sectional perspective view of the same mechanism.

In the drawings thus briefly described, A represents a trap-body, formed, preferably, with parallel sides (06,811 enlarged rear end portion 0, and a relatively smaller front portion (Z. In the enlarged end of the trap-body is formed a steam-inlet port 6, in its top aventport f, provided with a suitable vent-cock g, and in each side and in proximity to the bottom ports ll, through which the impurities separated out from the steam may be discharged, suitable cocks (not shown) being inserted within the opening for this purpose.

B represents a cap or bonnet closing the front opening of the body, secured to the latter by suitable bolts C. Formed centrally within the bonnet is a chamber D, communicating with the interior of the trap through an opening E, in which the valve mechanism is arranged, and having a discharge-opening F, provided with a suitable discharge-pipe. (Not shown.)

G is an opening leading out from the chamber immediately opposite the opening E to allow access to the valves for the purpose of repair or removal.

H represents a threaded plug normally closing the opening Gr, as shown.

Fitted within the opening E in the bonnet which constitutes the discharge-outlet of the trap is a valve-casing I, provided at its outer end with a plurality of discharge-ports, fitted each with a detachable valve-seat J, there being in nearly all instances at least two of these ports and as manyadditional as may be found expedient in the operation of the trap.

K represents suitable valves controlling the discharge-ports, arranged in a guide L within the valx 'e-casing opposite their respective seats, each having a stem M projecting rearwardly through the casing and at a distance beyond the latter.

O represents a plurality of levers pivoted each to the extremity of its respective valvestem and fulcrumed in an ear or lug P upon the casing-top.

Q, designates a float of any approved type arranged within the casing and having con nections with the valves, preferably through the levers and stems described, as will compel upon its elevation, due to the accumulation of water of condensation, successive operation of the valves and the coming of the ports, wherebya certain determined level of water within the trap will be maintained.

In this instance I have shown a float attached to the extremity of a bar 1', which in turn is rigidly attached to preferably the middle lever 70 of the valves.

Two metallic loops Z or are secured to the middle lever is, the loops inclosing'the levers and the loop at being of greater magnitude than its complementary loop,.the parts being so proportioned and constructed that as the float rises the middle lever and the valve connected thereto will be first operated and subsequently and in succession the levers 0 p, the valves being thus withdrawn from their seats one at a time until all are opened, permitting sufficient condensation to be discharged to maintain the level desired.

In forming the discharge-opening for the trap in which the valve-casing is located Iarrange the latter at the point of normal level of the Water, so that the valves and their seats will be always submerged and thus protected from the steam and at the same time will be at a sufficient distance above the trap-bottom to be free from the impurities that collect therein.

For the purpose of separating from the steam the oil and other impurities therein a bafile plate or wall R is arrangedwithin the casing opposite the inlet-port and between the latter and the float, the wall in this instance being preferably cast integral with the easing, forming, substantially, a chamber S therein, having, however, for a purpose to be hereinafter set forth free communication with the trap interior. The steam entering the trap strikes against the wall and passes upwardly into the trap interior, while the impurities drain down upon the wall to the bottom of the trap and may be discharged through the port or ports it for this purpose. The communication that the chamber S has with the trap interior permits the steam within the casing to be at auniform pressure and acting upon the float in this manner holds the latter against movement except as may be caused by accumulated water of condensation, thereby making the operation of the trap steady and more eflicient.

After traps of the character described have been in operation for a period of time it is usually desirable to cleanse the parts, particularly the valves and valve-seats, and I have therefore provided means for holding the valves away from their seats for any determined period of time, permitting the valves to be flushed through steam-pressure. By the same locking mechanism I am also enabled to prevent movement of the valves and of the float, which is quite desirable in transportation, as it prevents the pounding of the float and straining of the parts.

The locking mechanism I preferably employ consists of a stem T-threaded within the casing-front at a point below the discharge opening, provided with a suitable operating handle U and an arm V, connected, preferably, to the lever p and extending across the remaining levers in the manner indicated in Fig. 5. By moving the stem into engagement with the arm V the valves may be locked successively out of contact with their seats, and upon continued movement of the stem the float may be raised until it contacts I with the casing-top, so that its movement in either direction is prevented.

From the foregoing description the operation of the trap will be obvious, the water of condensation collecting and being maintained at a level to cover the valves and their valveseats and the excess being discharged auto matically in the manner described through the opening F and from thence into the sewer or any suitable drain.

What I claim as my invention is- 1. In a steam-trap, the combination with a casing provided with an inlet and a horizontal outlet, a plurality of valves controlling "said outlet and having horizontally arranged stems, vertically-arranged levers pivoted to said stems and fulcrumed thereabove, a float rigidly connected to the lower end of one of the levers, and means associated therewith compelling upon its operation a successive operation of the complementary levers.

2. In a steam-trap, the combination with a casing, provided with suitable inlet and a horizontally-extending outlet at the normal level of accum ulated water, a horizontally-arranged valve-casing fitted within the outlet, having a plurality of discharge-ports below the waterlevel, valves controlling these ports provided with stems extending beyond the valve-casing, a plurality of vertically-arranged levers fulcrumed upon the valve-casing and having pivotal connections with the valve-stems, a float rigidly connected to one of the levers at its lower end, and means associated with the float-lever compelling upon its operation, a

successive operation of the complementary levers.

3. In a steam-trap, the combination with a casing, having an inlet and an outlet for the discharge of accumulated water, a valve controlling the outlet, a float within the casing having operative connections with the valve, and a baffle-plate arranged opposite the inlet intermediate of the latter and the float, and having both ends spaced from the casing.

4:. In a steam-trap, the combination witha casing, having an inlet and a discharge-port for the-water of condensation, a valve controlling said port, a float connected with the valve, and a baffle-wall within the casing opposite its inlet forming a chamber having free communication at both ends with the casing interior.

5. In a steam-trap, the combination with a casing having an inlet and a plurality of outlet-ports, valves normally closing the ports,

a float, a lever therefor, levers operably connected to said valves, and the metallic loopsZ and m for the purpose described.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

HENRY H. HUMPHREY. Witnesses:

JAS. P. BARRY, EDWARD D. AULT. 

